Kiss the Ground Board

Board Chair

David Lewis

David Lewis has been the CEO or founding partner of 5 companies, one a 600-person family business, three successful startups in the areas of executive search, consulting, and financial project execution, as well as a venture-capital-backed software development firm. His last startup scaled to a 300-person consulting and executive services firm in seven and a half years. During his tenure, the firm worked with companies ranging from Fortune 500 companies to venture-backed startups. He has deep functional expertise in the creation and implementation of accountability systems, planning, finance, talent acquisition and development, and key executive coaching. David holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from Georgetown University in Washington D.C.

Board Treasurer

Robert Raich

Rob co-founded Spears Abacus Advisors in 2007. In addition to his work at Spears, he continues as President and Chief Investment Officer of Abacus and Associates, Inc., a single-family office.  Rob especially enjoys working with families of multiple generations concerning family dynamics, legacy planning, and philanthropy.

Rob began his career at Price Waterhouse LLP, where he served on audit teams for a number of Fortune 500 corporations. Rob joined Abacus & Associates Inc. in 2001 and was named President and Chief Investment Officer in 2002.

Rob received a BS in Accountancy with honors from Arizona State University in 1992 and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1998 (and he enjoys discussing the contrast of these schools).  Rob is a past president and life trustee of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn and a current board member of One Story, an independent non-profit literary publication.  He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and two daughters (one currently a freshman at Bryn Mawr College). 

Board Secretary

Becky Cassel

Born in rural Pennsylvania and raised on a small farm, Becky’s initial exposure to agriculture was centered on industrial farming methods and seeing one small farm after another fade away.  Disillusioned with this model of agriculture, she instead focused her studies elsewhere, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from Penn State University.  Becky then spent over a decade in the aerospace industry gaining a broad range of skills as a space vehicle manager, leadership development program manager, and in supply chain and operations management roles.  She parlayed many of these experiences to her non-profit sector work where she served as a founding member of Energize Colorado supporting small businesses throughout the state, as a board member for a humane society, and as a fundraising analyst for a rural social and health organization. 

During this time, while in a search for food that was healthier for people and the planet, Becky found herself coming back to her agricultural roots but with a new focus on regenerative agriculture.  Becky has since spent time as a ranch hand on a cattle ranch, been the Operations Manager for Kiss the Ground, and currently serves as a board member for Guidestone Colorado, focusing on growing a vibrant agricultural future for central Colorado.

Becky is fortunate to call the Colorado Rocky Mountains home and enjoys adventuring, whether on foot, skis, or bike, with her husband and their two lovable dogs.

Board Director

Adrienne Callandrello

Adrienne Callandrello has spent the last 20 years of her professional career as a marketing, social media and communication professional for brands like iheartradio, The Vitamin Shoppe and Travel + Leisure Co. She is a passionate storyteller with a B.A. in Journalism and Media Studies, Philosophy and Psychology from Rutgers University.  During her time in the health and supplement industry, Adrienne worked closely with various organizations to help bring nutrition, fitness and supplement education to those around the world, including Guatemala and Peru through a vitamin distribution program with The Vitamin Angels.  She is an entrepreneur at heart, but also loves to give back to others. Her passions lie in health education, wellness, music, writing, photography, travel and nutrition.

Chief Executive Officer

Evan Harrison

Evan Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer of Kiss the Ground, the leading nonprofit promoting Regeneration and healthy soil as a viable solution for human and planetary health. Since joining in July 2022, Harrison has accelerated the organization’s mission and growth via education, strategic storytelling and partnerships with brands like Anthropologie and Spindrift. In that time, Kiss the Ground has nearly doubled awareness of regenerative agriculture, while reaching more than a million individuals monthly. Drawing on his background building audiences in the media industry, including as founding President of Digital at iHeartRadio and leading roles at AOL Music and Univision, Harrison has launched transformative initiatives for Kiss the Ground, such as a $500,000 direct-to-farmer grants program and an award-winning content series; all geared to drive this nonprofit’s goal of reaching a tipping point in regenerative agriculture awareness by 2030.

Board Director

Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown is an accomplished American, hailing from Henderson, NC. Raised on his family farm, he’s the 4th generation heir with deep roots in cultivating tobacco, soybean, and wheat, guided by his late father, Rev. Dr. Arthur A. He served as an Agriculture Advisor for USDA and government agencies in Afghanistan while managing Brown Family Farms. Passionate about regenerative agriculture, Patrick pioneers holistic practices on his ancestral land in Hecks Grove, Warren County. His mission at Brown Family Farms is to offer carbon-neutral products like industrial hemp, herbs, and organic vegetables, providing medicinal solutions and sustainable alternatives. An influential speaker, Patrick addresses conferences nationwide and founded the Rev. Dr. A. A. Brown Foundation to mentor future farmers. With 16 years of federal service, including Defense Intelligence Agency roles, Patrick is now Nature for Justice’s first Director of Farmer Inclusion, leading the USDA-funded Soil Inventory Project. Patrick’s leadership, humility, and commitment to sustainable agriculture make him a true visionary, dedicated to transforming farming for a brighter future.

Board Director

Ryan Chavez

Ryan Chavez is a seasoned entertainment industry executive and entrepreneur with a career spanning nearly two decades. His expertise spans branded entertainment, large-scale event production, talent management, and original IP development.

Chavez’s accomplishments include developing branded entertainment campaigns for major brands like Red Bull and DraftKings, producing original music for television shows on Comedy Central and films such as Space Jam II, and collaborating with a diverse range of talent, from LGBTQ icon Big Freedia and hip-hop artist Lil Wayne to Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste and electronic music producer Mura Masa.

In 2022, Chavez founded Imprinted Group, where he serves as managing partner, overseeing operations across label services, music publishing, client services, and media production.

Beyond his professional work, Chavez is committed to social and environmental causes. He is a founding member of the Sustainable Mardi Gras Coalition – working to make New Orleans’ iconic celebration more environmentally friendly, and serves on the board of the Art Action Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Pussy Riot creator Nadya Tolokonnikova, which aims to use art as a catalyst for social change.

Board Director

Rachel Puckett

I live in the Bay Area and have experience helping global organizations tell meaningful stories through digital strategy, social media, and community-driven content. I currently serve on OpenAI’s communications team, where I lead social media strategy, work closely with creators, and focus on sharing the real ways ChatGPT is helping people around the world while making AI feel a little less intimidating. Before joining OpenAI, I developed high-impact digital campaigns at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Boeing, collaborating with subject matter experts, executives, and creative teams to bring important ideas to life. Earlier in my career, I spent several years in the music industry live streaming concerts and helping major festivals build strong, engaged fan communities.

Curiosity has always been the through-line in every step of my life, guiding me toward work and experiences that matter most to me.

A fun fact about me: I come from a long line of farmers in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, and I hope to honor my family’s story by supporting Kiss the Ground’s work.